How to actually raise a seed round: Actionable advice from top investors at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 returns to Moscone West in San Francisco from October 27-29, convening more than 10,000 startup and VC leaders for an inside look at where innovation is headed. Among the must-attend sessions is a candid panel on the Builders Stage about one of the most high-stakes moments in any founder’s journey: raising your first round.

From pitch to partnership: The real roadmap to seed funding

This dynamic panel brings together three seasoned investors — Maria Palma (Freestyle Capital), Gabby Cazeau (Harlem Capital), and Marlon Nichols (MaC Venture Capital) — to unpack the realities of early-stage fundraising. From shaping a compelling pitch to choosing the right capital partners, they’ll share honest, actionable insights to help founders translate interest into investment.

Maria Palma, general partner at Freestyle Capital, brings deep operating and investing experience, with past roles at Kindred Capital, RRE Ventures, and leadership positions at high-growth startups like Eyeview. She’s backed companies including Fung Money, Lightning Labs, and Payman, and holds an MBA from Harvard.

Gabby Cazeau is a partner at Harlem Capital, investing in pre-seed and seed startups across enterprise software and applied AI. She holds an MBA from Yale and a BS in chemical engineering. Gabby has been featured in Business Insider, CNBC, and Crain’s 40 Under 40, and serves on the VC Council of Startup:NYC.

Marlon Nichols, co-founder and managing general partner of MaC Venture Capital, leads one of North America’s top seed-stage firms with over $600 million AUM. A multiple-time honoree on Business Insider’s Seed 100 and PitchBook’s list of top Black VCs, Marlon has helped scale industry-shaping companies like Blavity, Thrive Market, and MongoDB.

What to expect on the Builders Stage

This isn’t your typical venture panel. Expect sharp insights on how to cut through the noise, structure your raise, and build relationships that last beyond a term sheet. Whether you’re gearing up for your first round or advising a founder who is, this is the session you don’t want to miss.

Catch Palma, Cazeau, Nichols, and 250+ tech heavyweights across the six industry-specific stages, and in breakouts and roundtables, live at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, at Moscone West in San Francisco. Register now and lock in up to $675 in savings before ticket prices go up!

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